Tile-setting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for setting a row of tile along an upwardly extending wall of a swimming pool or the like. The apparatus includes upper and lower support components adapted to be secured to such wall and respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats adapted to receive the upper and lower edge portions of rigid tile blocks or flexible mosaic tile sheets therein so as to support the same a spaced distance from the pool wall. The resultant space is filled with mortar to secure the tile to the pool wall and after the mortar has cured sufficiently, the lower support can be removed for subsequent reuse. The upper support remains in place forming a water stop in association with a concrete deck later poured in overlying relation therewith. In the case of flexible sheets of mosaic tile, backing structure is used to stiffen or rigidify the same, and the upper and lower supports are equipped with means for holding the backing structure in substantially contiguous relation with the flexible tile sheets.

llnite States Patent 1191 Stegmeier NOV. 26, 1974 TILE-SETTING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: William J. Stegmeier, 1021 C Shary Cir., Concord, Calif. 94520 [22] Filed: Oct. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,208

52 u.s.c1 249/27, 52/379, 249/19, 249/93, 249/95, 249/1310. 3, 264/35 51 1m.c1. ..E04g11/02 58 Field ofSearch ..249/DIG.3,1,19,27, 249/83, 91, 93, 95; 264/31, 35, 275, 278;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,607,114 11/1926 Byrd 249/93 X 2,729,093 1/1956 Ridley 3,348,801 10/1967 Deason 249/D1G. 3

Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-Carl E. Hall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. Michael Zimmerman,

Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for setting a row of tile along an upwardly extending wall ofa swimming pool or the like. The apparatus includes upper and lower support components adapted to be secured to such wall and respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats adapted to receive the upper and lower edge portions of rigid tile blocks or flexible mosaic tile sheets therein so as to support the same a spaced distance from the pool wall. The resultant space is filled with mortar to secure the tile to the pool wall and after the mortar has cured sufficiently, the lower support can be removed for subsequent reuse. The upper support remains in place forming a water stop in association with a concrete deck later poured in overlying relation therewith. 1n the case of flexible sheets of mosaic tile, backing structure is used to stiffen or rigidify the same, and the upper and lower supports are equipped with means for holding the backing structure in substantially contiguous relation with the flexible tile sheets.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TILE-SETTING APPARATUS This invention relates to apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall of a construction project and, more particularly to apparatus for setting a row of tile along an upwardly extending concrete wall of a swimming pool or the like.

Considering swimming pools as an environmental setting for the invention, the technique now generally followed in their construction is to form the upwardly extending and bottom closure walls of the pool with concrete which may be poured into molds erected for this purpose but is more usually deposited by a gunite process in which the cement, water, and aggregate are mixed at a nozzle and ejected under pressure against a prepared support or backing. After the concrete has cured sufficiently, the inner surfaces of the concrete that are intended to contain water are covered with a suitable finishing material, and a horizontal deck is provided at the top of the upwardly extending pool walls to form a walkway and drainage area about the pool, and to establish an esthetically attractive frame thereabout. The deck maybe poured concrete and is often a cantilever deck that overhangs the pool walls.

Whereas in the past it was common tof nis lggr f ce the water-containing concrete wall surfaces of a swimming pool with ceramic tile, material and labor costs today generally prohibit the overall use of tile facing, and a finishing coat of concrete (which is usually referred to as plaster and comprises an admixture of cement and fine aggregate) is used to face the concrete walls. However, it is desirable, if not necessary, to provide at least a single horizontal row of ceramic tile adjacent the upper edge portion of the side walls of a swimming pool at the elevation at which the water level in the pool is to be maintained. The reason therefor is that body oils collect along the water surface in a swimming pool and adhere to the walls with considerable tenacity at the water level. thereby making removal of such oils from the wall surfaces quite difficult. The hard, substantially impervious finish of glazed ceramic tile facilitates removal of such oils and other matter, and is advantageously used in a swimming pool at this location. Such restricted use of tile has been found economically practicable referenced to the advantages attributable thereto. I

The tile-setting procedure now universally followed is for a tile setter to locate the highest elevation along the pool wall, patch or fill the upper edge of the pool wall to bring it to this elevation (this is not always done but should be), and then nail a continuous horizontal ledger board to the wall a measured distance below such elevation. A suitable mortar is then prepared, spread along the upper edge portion (often referred to as a bond beam) of the concrete walls above the ledger board, and each tile block (or sheet of mosaic tile) is seated upon the ledger board and pressed into the mortar, care being taken to align each tile vertically and in planar relationship with those tiles adjacent thereto as well as horizontally. Evidently. this procedure is slow and time-consuming and therefore relatively expensive but, more importantly, it is often difficult to obtain the services of a qualified tile setter especially in remote areas so that unskilled labor must be used which more often than not results in workmanship that is not initially satisfactory or subsequently proves to be unsatisfactory and therefore expensive to the contractor if the tile breaks loose and must be replaced.

In view of the foregoing, an object, among others, of the present invention is to provide apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall of a swimming pool or the like quickly, easily, without the requirement for the services of skilled tile setters and, accordingly, inexpensively.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially as concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, will become apparent as the specification continues.

In general summary terms, tile-setting apparatus embodying the invention includes an upper support component having a downwardly facing seat adapted to position the upper edge portion of a tile therein and being adapted to be secured to the upwardly extending wall of a swimming pool or the like adjacent the top thereof. The apparatus further includes a lower support having an upwardly facing seat adapted to receive the lower edge portion of a tile therein, and such lower support is removably secured to such upwardly extending wall a spaced distance below the upper support in substantially vertical alignment therewith. Each support is an elongated component that extends for a substantial distance along the wall of a pool, and a plurality of such supports are arranged one after another in aligned succession. The tile blocks or mosaic sheets are placed within the supports so as to be held thereby in side-byside succession a spaced distance from the wall so as to define a cavity therewith which is subsequently filled with mortar to fixedly secure the tile to the wall.

After the mortar has set sufficiently, the lower support can be removed for reuse, the tile grouted, and the concrete wall surfaces below the row of tiles coated with a finishing plaster in the usual manner. The upper support remains in place and serves as a water stop in association with a concrete deck later poured in overlying relation therewith. The lower support has a spacer separating the seat and tile at the lower edge thereof from the pool wall for a predetermined distance, and stop structure also provided by the support is effective to enforce a predetermined positional relationship thereon under the weight of the tile supported thereby. In the case of flexible sheets of mosaic tile, backing structure is used to hold or rigidify the same, and the upper and lower supports are arranged to hold such backing structure in cooperative association with the flexible tile sheets.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view of apparatus embodying the present invention in operative association with a building wall and a tile element adapted to provide a surface facing along such wall;

FlG. 2 is a broken perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 1, but illustrating the use of additional components of the apparatus required by flexible sheets of mosaic tile;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, broken vertical sectional view of the upper end portion of the structural assemblage illustrated in FIG. 2;

HO. 4 is a broken top plan view of the backing structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a broken side view in elevation of the backing structure, the view being taken along the plane 55 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, broken vertical sectional view of the lower support and tile supported thereby as shown in FIG. 1.

As heretofore indicated, tile-setting apparatus embodying the present invention is adapted for use in setting tile along the upwardly extending or generally vertical walls erected in a construction project and, in particular, the upwardly extending walls of a swimming pool. Walls of this type are generally concrete and ordinarily equipped at the upper ends thereof with an integral section that extends laterally and is frequently referred to as a bond beam. A wall of this type is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is denoted in its entirety with the numeral 10, and the bond beam at its upper end is designated with the numeral 11. As respects the present invention, the wall 10 may be essentially conventional and can be formed by any suitable construction process a gunnite technique usually being employed. The inner surface of the wall 10 facing the interior of the pool to define the water-receiving container is identified with the numeral 12, and the upwardly facing surface of the bond beam 11 is denoted with the numeral 14.

A row of tile units, usually ceramic, is secured to the wall 10 adjacent the upper edge thereof as heretofore explained, and one such tile is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is designated with the numeral 15. Tile f the type shown in FIG. 1 ordinarily takes the form of rigid square-shaped blocks that are approximately 6 inches in length and width and may have a thickness of from about one-fourth to three-eighths-of an inch although this may vary considerably from brand to brand. The tile-setting apparatus being considered herein is adapted to accommodate such standard variations in the thickness of the tile blocks 15, and it is of substantially no significance whether the blocks are squareshaped or whether rectangular, and the lengths and widths of the blocks may vary materially from the usual 6-inch standard. For example, the blocks 15 could be rectangular well as square-shaped, and the length and/or vertical dimension thereof might be 12 inches, for example, rather than the dimensions noted.

The tile blocks 15 are adapted to be secured to the wall by means of mortar which is poured into a cavity or space 16 defined between the facing surfaces of the wall 10 and the tile. Before the mortar is poured, it will usually be advantageous to first wet the facing surfaces of the wall and tile, and in many instances the inner surface of the tile will be brushed, dipped, or otherwise coated with a slurry of cement and water. Respecting the present invention, the surface preparation and mortar compositions used may be completely conventional. It may be of convenience to relieve the upper portion of the wall 10 along the inner surface 12 thereof to facilitate pouring of the mortar into the space or cavity 16, and such relief is illustrated in FIG. I and for identification is designated with the numeral 17. i

The apparatus further includes upper and lower support components 18 and 19, respectively, each of which is elongated and longitudinally extending and is adapted to be secured to the wall 10 so as to support the tile blocks in side-by-side juxtaposition and substantially horizontal alignment. Each ofthe supports 18 and 19 is advantageously formed of a material that does not readily corrode or rust since they are used in a water-laden environment, and such supports may be formed of any of a number of synthetic plastic materials as, for example, polyvinyl chloride. Conveniently, this material will be extruded to provide the supports 18 and 19 in the configurations and with the characteristics shown.

The supports 18 and 19 are also somewhat resilient and flexible so as to grip and hold each tile block 15 along the upper and lower edges thereof. and the supports are also bendable and flexible in transverse directions (i.e., generally normal to the plane of the wall 10) so as to enable each support to follow at least gradual inside and outside curves that may he formed along the wall 10 ofa swimming pool, especially in pools of freeform design. This desirable bending attribute of each support is enhanced by increasing the ratio of the vertical dimension to the transverse dimension thereof, especially as concerns each convolution, as will be noted hereinafter. By way of example, the maximum vertical dimension of a typical embodiment of the supports 18 and 19 is about 1.25 inches and 1.875 inches, respectively, and corresponding transverse dimensions of about 0.505 of an inch and 0.50 of an inch, respectively.

The support 18 comprises a plurality of successive convolutions formed integrally with each other and running substantially from one side of the support to the other. In the form shown, there are essentially three serpentine-like convolutions respectively denoted with the numerals 20,21 and 22. The convolution 21 together with the downwardly extending lips 24 and 25 bordering the same define a downwardly facing seat constructed to receive the upper edge of the tile block 15 therein, as shown. The convolution 21 establishes the inner terminus of the seat and may positively engage the upper edge of the tile block 15, although this will depend on the precise spacing between the supports 18 and 19. The lips 24 and 25 are adapted to substantially engage the opposite faces of the tile block 15, and the support 18 has sufficient resilience or flexibility so as to permit relative transverse displacements between the lips for the purpose of accommodating tile blocks of different thickness. The convolutions 20 and 22 provide recesses 26 and 27, respectively. for purposes to be particularized hereinafter.

The upper support 18 is also equipped with an attachment section 28 generally adjacent the lip 25 and, in the form shown, the attachment section 28 is essentially continuous and runs from end to end of the support. The attachment section 28 is adapted to cooperate at spaced apart locations therealong with a plurality of anchor straps 29 fixedly secured to the wall 10 such as by being fastened by nails 30 to the bond beam 11 along the upper surface 14 thereof. Each strap 29 is provided adjacent an end thereof with a fastener element 31 adapted to interlockingly engage the attachment section 28 and thereby secure the support 18 to the wall 10. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the fastener 31 has a somewhat .I-shaped configuration so as to seat within the complementary configuration of the attachment section 28. The inherent resilience of the support 18 and cooperative, interlockingly engageable elements of the attachment section and fastener effect an adequate and appropriate mounting for the support and by means of which it is secured to the wall 10. Any number of anchor straps 29 may be used depending upon the individual preferences of the contractor and the requirement for maintaining a proper dimensional relationship between the support 18 and wall along the length thereof so that the successive tile blocks have the requisite orientation (usually vertical).

The lower support 19 is quite similar to the upper support 18 and comprises a plurality of successive convolutions formed integrally with each other and running substantially from one side of the support to the other. In the form shown, there are essentially four serpentine-like convolutions respectively denoted with the numerals 34, 35, 36 and 37. The convolution 35 together with the upwardly extending lip 38 and convolution 37 bordering the same define an upwardly facing seat constructed to receive the lower edge of a tile block 15 therein, as shown. The convolution 35 establishes the inner terminus of the seat and may positively engage the lower edge of the tile block 15. The lip 38 and convolution 37 are adapted to substantially engage the opposite faces of the tile block 15, and the support 19 has sufficient resilience or flexibility so as to permit relative transverse displacements between the lips for the purpose of accommodating tile blocks of different thickness. The convolutions 34 and 36 provide recesses 39 and 40, respectively, for purposes to be particularized hereinafter.

The convolution 37 of the lower support 19 defines a spacer adapted to separate the tile-receiving seat from the surface 12 of the wall 10, and therefore to separate the tile block 15 therefrom by a relatively determinant transverse distance'generally equivalent to the width of the convolution. Accordingly, the spacer convolution 37 is located intermediate the wall face 12 and tile block 15 and resiliently engages the lower edge of the tile, as heretofore described. The convolution 37 extends downwardly along the terminal end thereof to form :1 depending section or portion 41 adapted to be removably secured to the wall by a plurality of nails or comparable fasteners 42 which can be driven through the section 41 and into the wall, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the convolution 37 and depending section 41 thereof have a transversely projecting stop or abutment 44 extending therealong which is located in transverse alignment with the convolution 36 adjacent its lower end. The stop 44 may comprise a plurality of longitudinally spaced protuberances, or it may be essentially a continuous component running from end to end of the lower support, as shown. The abutment is operative to engage the facing surface of the convolution 36 and thereby limit inward movement of such convolution together with the associated convolutions 34 and 35 under the weight of the tile blocks 15 seated upon the convolution 35.

The tile-setting apparatus so far described is especially suited for use with tile blocks 15 that are rigid and therefor self-sustaining. Although tile blocks of this type are most commonly used to line or face the upper concrete vertical wall surface of a swimming pool, occasionally mosaic tile is preferred to this purpose and, as well known, mosaic tile is ordinarily not selfsustaining and is generally sold in sheets comprising a plurality of small tiles (either regular or irregular in shape) adhesively secured to an inexpensive web that is quite porous so as to enable substantial surface areas of the individual tiles to be contacted by the mortar used to secure the tiles to a support surface therefor. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the additional components of the tilesetting apparatus which are used with mosaic tile sheets are shown and will now be described.

First, however, it may be noted that the usual flexible webbing to which the small mosaic tiles are adhesively secured to facilitate handling has not been shown so as to simplify the illustration and avoid pictorial complexity. The mosaic tile sheet illustrated is denoted in its entirety with the numeral 45, and it is shown to comprise six generally horizontal rows of substantially identical tile pieces with each row being spaced from those adjacent thereto so as to accommodate grout, all as is well known. The flexible sheet 45 is rigidified or reinforced by backing structure comprising, in the form shown, two substantially identical backing strips or components 46 and 47 respectively disposed along opposite faces of the tile sheet. Although the backing sheets 46 and 47 can differ one from the other, they are identical in the form shown and may be cut or taken from the same stock material.

As is shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5, the backing components are for the most part planar and are provided with, a plurality of apertures or openings 48 therealong which in the aggregate constitute a large surface area through which the inner surface of the tile sheet 45 is exposed for contact with the mortar used to secure such sheet to the wall 10. In more specific terms, the aggregate area defined by the openings 48 should be as large as practicable without so weakening the backing component that it cannot afford adequate support for the tile sheet 45. By way of example, the aggregate area of the openings 48 is of the order of, and preferably in excess of, 50 percent of the total surface area of the component 46.

The backing component 46 is stiffened or strengthened by transverse ribs or corrugations 49 spaced longitudinally therealong. Such strengthening ribs in the form shown have a generally V-shaped configuration although this shape is in no sense mandatory. The backing strip is formed of a material that does not corrode or rust since materials having such characteristics are undesirable because rust has a tendency to bleed through grout used to fill the spaces between the small mosaic tiles. Many different materials can be used to form the backing strip 46, and various synthetic plastics are very suitable therefor a specific example being polyvinyl chloride. The backing strip 46 could be formed in various ways and, for example, may be a flat sheet punched or stamped to form the openings 48 therein and deformed by application of heat and pressure to provide the ribs 49 which, in a typical embodiment of the invention, are spaced apart longitudinally by approximately 8 inches center-to-center.

As is most evident in FIG. 3, the backing strips 46 and 47 have upper and lower edge portions respectively receivable within the transversely spaced recesses 26 and 27 of the upper support 18 and in the transversely spaced recesses 39 and 40 of the lower support 19. These recesses have restricted mouths or entrances thereinto formed by the converging-diverging configurations of the successive convolutions associated therewith; and as a result, the upper edge portions of the backing strips tend. to be resiliently confined within such recesses by the restricted mouths associated therewtih, as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the backing strips or components 46 and 47 are held by the supports 18 and 19 in substantially contiguous juxtaposition with the mosaic sheet 45 so as to prevent transverse collapse thereof in either direction.

In use of the apparatus, the support 19 is removably secured to the wall 10 by driving an adequate number of nails 42 through the depending support section 41 and into the concrete wall, it being understood that the support will be leveled before it is firmly attached so that the row of tile blocks subsequently seated within the support wall have a true horizontal orientation enforced thereon. The upper support 18 is similarly secured to the wall 10, and the anchor straps 29 may be interlockingly connected with the attachment section 28 either before or after they are secured to the wall by driving nails 30 thereinto. The straps 29 are located so that the upper support 18 in cooperation with the lower support 19 will orient the tile blocks in the vertical disposition desired.

Ordinarily, the supports 18 and 19 should locate each tile block 15 so that the upper edge thereof is slightly below the upper surface 14 of the bond beam 11 (about one-fourth of an inch below, for example) so that the lowest point along the upper surface of an irregular bond beam will have an elevation greater than that of the tile..Should a tile 15 extend above the surface 14 at any location therealong, it would be necessary to build up or increase the height of the bond beam at that location for otherwise any shifting of the concrete deck (not shown) poured above the bond beam in overlying relation with the tile would dislodge such tile. Also, built-up sections often do not bond properly. In the case of rigid tile blocks 15, they are inserted into the seats respectively defined by the upper and lower supports 18 and 19 so as to be held thereby in enforced side-by-side juxtaposition in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1.

After the tile blocks 15 are so supported. mortar is used to fill the space 16 intermediate the inner face of each tile block and the wall 10 and. after the mortar has cured. the tile blocks are thereby affixed to the wall. lt may be desirable to prepare the tile blocks and facing wall surface by wetting or coating the same with a mixture ofcement and water. and in the case ofthe blocks they may be presoaked or wetted before being seated within the supports 18 and 19. After the mortar has set sufficiently to support the tile blocks 15, the lower support 19 may be removed carefully so as to preserve the same for reuse by withdrawing each of the nails 42. Generally. the spaces intermediate adjacent tile blocks is filled with a grout before the mortar completely sets,

thereby establishing a better bond between the grout and mortar and generally effecting better results.

Although the upper support 18 might be removed for reuse. it is advantageous to let it remain because it then serves as a water stop to prevent or significantly minimize ingress of water along the contiguous surfaces of the bond beam 1! and concrete deck which will be poured thereover ordinarily in cantilever configuration so that it overhangs the tile blocks 15 and interior of the pool. The serpentine convolutions of the support 18 define a long barrier path along which any moisture must travel before reaching the contiguous surfaces of the bond beam and deck. and the natural or inherent resilience of the support also insures a continuing tight engagement with the contiguous surfaces of the concrete deck which. because of the weight of the concrete, will tend to compress the convolutions somewhat. Further. the lips 24 and 25 because of their engagement with the tile blocks 15 tend to prevent move ment of water therebetween. The lip 25 also functions as a mortar stop in the sense that it prevents mortar filling the space 16 from flowing outwardly therefrom over the upper edge of the tile blocks.

The spacer 37 extends behind each tile block 15 along the lower edge thereof and not only establishes the spacing between each block and the wall 10, but

also forms a downwardly facing recess or channel which permits surfacing material (generally referred to as plaster but comprising a cement binder rather than lime) to be forced upwardly and into the space behind each tile when the lower surface areas of the wall 10 are coated to form a finish therealong that usually terminates in planar alignment with the exposed face of the tile blocks. The provision of a mass of plaster behind the lower edge of each such tile block results in a good, essentially water-tight joint being established thereat.

Should flexible sheets 45 of mosaic tile be used rather than rigid tile blocks 15, the backing structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used to rigidify such sheets or hold the same in planar orientation until the mortar attaches the same to the wall 10. The sheets 45 together with the backing components 46 and 47 may be arranged in the relative positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in any way most convenient to the workman providing the installation; and as an example, the component 46 might first be placed in position with the upper and lower edge portions thereof seated within the recesses 27 and 40. Next, the sheets 45 are placed along the backing component 46 and are held in place until the backing component 47 is placed in supporting relation therealong with its upper and lower edge portions seated within the recesses 26 and 39.

Thereafter, mortar is poured into the space 16 intermediate the facing surfaces of the sheets 45 and wall 10, and the mortar flows through and into the various openings 48 in the component 46 to contact the mosaic tiles and thereby anchor the same to the wall 10. After sufficient curing, the exposed backing component 47 and the lower support 19 are removed and preserved for reuse, and the tile is grouted as heretofore explained. The componenent 46, it will be apparent, be-

comes a permanent part of the installation. In certain instances the inner support component 46 may be omitted, sufficient support being provided by the outer component 47 since mortar poured into the space 16 will tend to push the tile sheets outwardly thereagainst.

a typical embodiment thereofis approximately 0.080 of I an inch. It will be evident that these exemplary dimensions may vary considerably. The support 18 and especially the lip 24 thereof serves also as a hidden member to conceal the upper edges of the tile blocks 15 (or mosaics 45). thereby accommodating some upward movement or heaving of a deck relative to the pool'wall 10. Further, the resilience of the support 18 generally and particularly the convolutions 20,21 and 22 thereof accommodate horizontal movement (as well as vertical movement, as noted) of a deck owing to temperature changes, soil changes, etc. without disturbing the brittle tile which is often cracked loose or broken by such deck movement.

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention has been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of making a complete disclosure thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof; and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such sidewall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges; said upper and lower supports respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of said side-by-side tiles therein to positively locate the same in aligned justaposition; said lower support being provided with a spacer along the wall-facing side of said seat to separate the same and any tile therein from said sidewall to as sure a mortar-accommodating space therealong, and comprising a plurality of successive convolutions defining said seat and spacer, one of said convolutions being downwardly extending and adapted to have a fastener project therethrough to secure said lower support to such wall as aforesaid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said lower support is equipped therealong intermediate the facing surfaces of said spacer and downwardly extending convolution with a transversely projecting stop cooperative with the associated seat and supporting the weight of such tile.

3. Apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof; and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such wall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges. said upper and lower edges respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of said side-bysaid tiles therein to positively locate the same in aligned juxtaposition and said upper support being provided with an attachment section therealong; and a plurality of straps respectively adapted to be affixed to such wall and each being equipped adjacent an end thereof with a fastener interlockingly engageable with said attachment section to secure said upper support to such wall as aforesaid.

4. Apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof: and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such wall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges. said upper opposite faces thereof.

lit)

and lower supports respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of said side-by-side tiles therein to positively locate the same in aligned juxtaposition and said upper support being an elongated longitudinally extending component defining a water stop generally adjacent the mergence of such tile and wall and any deck generally overlying the same, and said upper support having depending lips bordering said seat and in part defining the same and adapted to lie in substantially continuous relation with such tile along opposite faces thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said lower support is provided with a spacer along the wall-facing side of said seat to separate the same and any tile therein from such side wall to assure a mortar-accommodating space therealong.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which each of said supports comprises a plurality of successive convolutions defining the associated seats and also said spacer, one of said convolutions in said lower support being downwardly extending and adapted to have a fastener project therethrough to secure said lower support to such wall as aforesaid.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said lower support is equipped therealong intermediate the facing surfaces of said spacer and downwardly extending convolution with a transversely projecting stop cooperative with the associated seat and supporting the weight of such tile, in which said upper support is an elongated longitudinally extending component defining a water stop generally adjacent the mergence of such tile and wall and any deck generally overlying the same, and said upper support having depending lips bordering said seat and in part defining the same and adapted to lie in substantially contiguous relation with such tile along opposite faces thereof.

8. In combination with the upwardly extending concrete wall ofa swimming pool having a bond beam defining the upper edge thereof, apparatus for setting tile along said upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof; and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such wall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges, each of said supports being a synthetic plastic component that is substantially moisture impervious and is relatively flexible so as to be bendable in transverse directions to accommodate gradual curvatures along the length of said wall. said lower support being removably secured to said wall, said upper support being provided with an attachment section therealong. and further comprising a plurality of straps respectively affixed to said bond beam and each being equipped adjacent an end thereof with a fastener interlockingly engaging said attachment sect-ion to secure said upper support to such wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said upper and lower supports respectively define downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of side-by-side tiles therein to positively locate the same in aligned juxtaposition to form a row thereof adjacent the upper edge of said wall. and in whichsaid upper support defines a water stop generally adjacent the mergence of such tile and wall and any deck generally overlying the same, said upper support having depending lips bordering said seat and in part defining the same and adapted to lie in substantially contiguous relation with such tile along 

1. Apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof; and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such sidewall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges; said upper and lower supports respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of said side-by-side tiles therein to positively locate the same in aligned juxtaposition; said lower support being provided with a spacer along the wall-facing side of said seat to separate the same and any tile therein from said sidewall to assure a mortar-accommodating space therealong, and comprising a plurality of successive convolutions defining said seat and spacer, one of said convolutions being downwardly extending and adapted to have a fastener project therethrough to secure said lower support to such wall as aforesaid.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said lower support is equipped therealong intermediate the facing surfaces of said spacer and downwardly extending convolution with a transversely projecting stop cooperative with the associated seat and supporting the weight of such tile.
 3. Apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof; and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such wall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges, said upper and lower edges respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of said side-by-said tiles thereIn to positively locate the same in aligned juxtaposition and said upper support being provided with an attachment section therealong; and a plurality of straps respectively adapted to be affixed to such wall and each being equipped adjacent an end thereof with a fastener interlockingly engageable with said attachment section to secure said upper support to such wall as aforesaid.
 4. Apparatus for setting tile along an upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof; and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such wall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges, said upper and lower supports respectively defining downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of said side-by-side tiles therein to positively locate the same in aligned juxtaposition and said upper support being an elongated longitudinally extending component defining a water stop generally adjacent the mergence of such tile and wall and any deck generally overlying the same, and said upper support having depending lips bordering said seat and in part defining the same and adapted to lie in substantially continuous relation with such tile along opposite faces thereof.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said lower support is provided with a spacer along the wall-facing side of said seat to separate the same and any tile therein from such side wall to assure a mortar-accommodating space therealong.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which each of said supports comprises a plurality of successive convolutions defining the associated seats and also said spacer, one of said convolutions in said lower support being downwardly extending and adapted to have a fastener project therethrough to secure said lower support to such wall as aforesaid.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said lower support is equipped therealong intermediate the facing surfaces of said spacer and downwardly extending convolution with a transversely projecting stop cooperative with the associated seat and supporting the weight of such tile, in which said upper support is an elongated longitudinally extending component defining a water stop generally adjacent the mergence of such tile and wall and any deck generally overlying the same, and said upper support having depending lips bordering said seat and in part defining the same and adapted to lie in substantially contiguous relation with such tile along opposite faces thereof.
 8. In combination with the upwardly extending concrete wall of a swimming pool having a bond beam defining the upper edge thereof, apparatus for setting tile along said upwardly extending wall comprising: an elongated upper support adapted to be secured to such wall and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent the upper edges thereof; and an elongated lower support adapted to be secured to such wall a spaced distance below said upper support and supportingly engage a plurality of side-by-side tiles adjacent their lower edges, each of said supports being a synthetic plastic component that is substantially moisture impervious and is relatively flexible so as to be bendable in transverse directions to accommodate gradual curvatures along the length of said wall, said lower support being removably secured to said wall, said upper support being provided with an attachment section therealong, and further comprising a plurality of straps respectively affixed to said bond beam and each being equipped adjacent an end thereof with a fastener interlockingly engaging said attachment section to secure said upper support to such wall.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said upper and lower supports respectively define downwardly facing and upwardly facing seats constructed to receive the upper and lower edges of side-by-side tiles therein to positively locate the same in aligned juxtaposition to form a row thereof adjacent the upper edge of said wall, and in which said upper support defines a water stop generally adjacent the mergence of such tile and wall and any deck generally overlying the same, said upper support having depending lips bordering said seat and in part defining the same and adapted to lie in substantially contiguous relation with such tile along opposite faces thereof. 